Envelope type packaging folder



March 3, 1964 G. c. CURRIE ENVELOPE TYPE PACKAGING FOLDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 12, 1962 INVENTOR. GEM/4? C (UR/P15 CW fiflzmz,

ATTORNEY March 3, 1964 G. c. CURRIE 3,123,280

' ENVELOPE TYPE PACKAGING FOLDER Filed March 12, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

GROVE]? C CORR/6- ATI'QRNEY Mafch 3, 1964 G. c. CURRIE 3,123,280

ENVELOPE TYPE PACKAGING FOLDER Filed March 12, 1962 3 Sheets-sheaf?) INVENTOR. GROVE]? C CUR/WE United States. Patent 3,123,280 ENVELQPE TYPE PACKAGING FGLDER Grover C. Currie, 2518 lnverness Road, Charlotte, NC. Filed Mar. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 178,836 12 (Ilaims. (Cl. 229-76) This invention relates to envelope type packaging folders such as are commonly used for packaging hosiery, or any article or material that may assume a substantially flat shape for packaging.

More particularly, the invention is concerned with the provision of an improved form of envelope type packaging folder by which the loading and closing of the folders is substantially facilitated, by which the folders are made reopenable for direct examination of the contents whenever desired, and by which the reopenable closure means is arranged so that the contents of the folder are always fully protected against disturbance by its manipulation.

Briefly described, the improved packaging folder of the present invention comp-rises an envelope type body structure fitted with a closure flap that is formed for interlocking insertion under tabs slit in a side wall of the body structure; the closure flap being made intermediately foldable so that this insertion may be effected with exceptional ease; and a protective flap being disposed inwardly of the body structure to underlie the slit tabs so that the inserted closure flap cannot come in contact with the folder contents, but is received instead between the protective flap and the slit tabs to be held there at a properly closed disposition, while remaining freely reopenable at any time.

These and other features of the present invention are described in detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. '1 is a perspective view of an envelope type packing folder embodying the present invention, in which the folder is shown with the closure flap thereof open;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view corresponding to FIG. :1 but showing the folder closure fiap closed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially at the line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blank employed to form the folder shown in FiGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a generally corresponding plan view illustrating the first development step in forming the folder from the FIG. 4 blank;

FIG. 6 is a further plan view showing the blank completely developed to form a folder in correspondence with the showing in PEG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation illustrating generally the manner in which the folder of the present invention may be handled for loading contents to be packaged therein;

FIG. 8 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a left end View corresponding to FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of suitable jig means in which closure of the folder may be readily effected in accordance with the present invention;

FlG. 11 is a side elevation illustrating generally the manner in which the loaded folder is initially positioned in the H6. 10 jig means for closing;

FIG. 12 is a further side elevation corresponding generally to Fit 11 but showing the folder closure flap being prebroken in preparation for closing insertion; and

FIG. 13 is a final side elevation corresponding generally to FIGS. 11 and '12 but showing how the folder and prebroken closure flap are manipulated for closing to the form illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

With reference first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the illustrated packaging folder embodiment of the present invention is shown to comprise a typical envelope body structure formed by opposed side walls 10 and 12 of ice substantially corresponding dimensions that are folded in face-to-face relation about a common edge at 14 and secured in the form of an open-sided pouch by side flaps l6 and 18.

Normally the side walls 16 and 12 will be rectangular in shape, but any quadrilateral or triangular shape, for

example, might also be employed, so that the side wa l shape is immaterial so long as an envelope body or pouch structure is formed that is open along one side edge. It should also be noted at this point that in order to provide ready folding of the side flaps 16 and 18, and the closure flap that is described further below, one of the side walls 12 will be proportioned slightly smaller than the other, so that in referring to the side walls It) and 12 as being of substantially corresponding dimensions, it is not meant that they correspond exactly, but that in substance they constitute coextensive opposed side walls.

Closure means for the above described body structure is provided according to the present invention by a closure flap 2d foldably hinged at the open edge of one side wall Ill and formed specially for interlocking insertion under tabs 22?, that are slit in the other side wall 12, which additionally has a further flap member 24 hinged at its free edge and folded and secured inwardly thereof to underlie the slit tabs .22 (see FIG. 3).

The particular form and relation of the several folder elements thus far described is. indicated further in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 which show the folder blank and illustrate its development to folder form. In P16. 4, the blank is seen to have panels for forming the side walls lid and 12 foldably hinged at their common edge 14 in series, with the side flap panels to and 18 foldably hinged at the lateral edges of the side wall panel it), and with the closure flap and additional flap member panels 20 and 24 foldably hinged in terminal relation respectively on the serially arranged side wall panels ill and 12. In addition, the previously mentioned tabs are seen slit in the side Wall panel 12 in FlG. 4.

In a representative fashion, the closure flap panel 20 is shown in FIG. 4 narrowed and notched toward its extending or outer edge so as to form two tongue portions 12% therein, while two slit tabs 22 are correspondingly provided in related widths and in serial alignment. Only a single tongue portion 2d" and a corresponding slit tab 22, or more than two of each, might alternatively be provided as a matter of choice.

The closure fiap 2% is further specially arranged according to the present invention by being intermediately scored parallel to its hinged axis as indicated at 26 in FIG. 4. It will be seen that the tongue portions 26 are formed outwardly of the score 26 in the closure flap 20, and the spacing of the score 26 from the hinged axis of the closure flap Ztl should be at least half of the flap extent therefrom, but less than two-thirds of this extent, to have the tongue portions 29 proportioned properly for the purposes that will appear further below.

Turning next to the slit tabs 22, it should be noted first that they are arranged so that the tab extent is toward the open edge of the side wall panel 12 and therefore directed for insertion of the closure flap tongue portions 2t? thereunder. Also, the tabs 22 are located for this insertion so as to overlie the completely inserted closure flap tongue portions 20 slightly short of the closure flap score 26, again for a reason that will appear presently. Accordingly, rthe tabs 22 are slit in the side wall panel 12 at a spacing from the open edge thereof that corresponds to a slightly greater spacing than that of the closure flap score as from the hinged edge of closure flap Zll.

Finally, the additional flap member 24 is formed with an extent from its hinged edge that exceeds the extent of closure flap 2d substantially enough to provide for an adequate glue stripe application (as indicated at 24' in 3 FIG. 4) by which it may be secured inwardly of the side wall panel 12 below the reach of the inserted closure flap tongue portions 2d (see FIG. 3).

The first step developing the blank to folder form is the folding of the flap member 24- just described so that it is secured by the glue stripe 2d thereon in the position shown in FIG. 5 to underlie the slit tabs 22 in the completed folder. Next, suitable glue stripes 16' and 18' are applied on the side flaps l6 and 18 as seen in FIG. 5, and side wall panel 12 is folded about the common edge 14 in face-tofiace relation with side wall panel it to have the side flaps l6 and 18 in turn folded and secured thereover to complete the folder structure as seen in FIG. 6.

The manner in which the completed folders of this sort are handled for loading and closing according to the present invention is illustrated by the remaining FIGS. 8 to 13 of the drawings. FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the disposition of a completed folder with its side walls 16' and 12 flexed latcnally to open the mouth of the body or pouch structure so that the contents being packaged may be placed readily therein. Such flexing is shown being done representatively in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 by a jig comprising a base member 28 on which a positioning block is carried at 313 to support the closed end portion of the folder while its open end portion is flexed open for loading between spaced uprights 32 arranged forwardly on the base member 28.

After loading, the closing manipulation of the folder is accomplished readily by manipulation in the manner indicated by FIGS. to 13. FIG. 1% shows a further rcprese-ntative jig means that may be employed in this con nection as comprising a base plate 34 on which an upright panel member 36 is mounted to form a folder positioning pocket in relation to an inclined plane member 33 that is blocked at 40 along its upper edge to provide a prebreaking form for the closure flap Zil.

The loaded folders are delivered to positioning pocket between the panel members 36 and 38 with their closed ends down and are disposed against the inclined panel member 38 in the manner indicated in FIG. 11. The upper blocked edge of the inclined panel member 33 is then employed for prebreaking the closure flap 2% at its hinged edge and at the score 26 therein, as illustrated in FIG. 12, and the body of the folder is then flexed backwardiy as indicated in FIG. 13 to cause an outward opening of the slit tabs 22 as the prebroken closure flap 2% is manipulated to insert the tongue portions 26 thereof under the tabs 22.

The folder loading and closing manipulation as just described above indicates the manner in which this manipulation may be done manually with the assistance of appropriate ji-g means. The same loading and closing operations might, of course, be accomplished also by suitable machinery in an automatic manner. In either case, the folder structure of the present invention makes it possible to complete the loading and closing with exceptional efii'ciency and effectiveness. In the first place, the need for any application of glue or other securing means upon closing is entirely eliminated so as to avoid the usual complications in this respect. In addition, however, the closure means provided may be handled to assume its closed position with unique facility.

In this latter connection, the arrangement of the closure flap with the score 26 therein spaced more than half the extent from its hinged edge affords a nicely balanced folding leverage on the flap 26? as it is shifted toward closed position, while the location of the slit tabs 22 in relation to the score 26 makes it possible to maintain a proper angle of descent for the further folded closure flap tongue portions 20' so that they will ride readily beneath the slit tabs 22 as they are delivered for insertion thereunder. Also, the arrangement of the underlying protective flap 24 acts on the inserted tongue portions 21?, together with the slit tabs 22, to hold the closure flap 2d at a properly flat disposition when the closing is completed,

i although still free for subsequent reopening and reclosing without damage to the folder structure or its contents.

The present invention has been described in detail above for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to be limited by this description or otherwise except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An envelope type packaging folder comprising an envelope body structure incorporating first and second side wall panels, a closure flap on one of said side wall panels, and at least one s-li-t tab in the other of said side wall panels openable upon flexing of said other of said side wall panels for interlocking insertion of said closure flap thereat, said closure flap being intermediately foldable for flexing to facilitate insertion at said slit tab, and said slit tab overlying said closure flap upon insertion to hold said flap at a properly closed disposition despite the previous flexing thereof during insertion.

2. An envelope type packaging folder comprising an envelope body structure having a side edge thereof open to allow loading with material to be enveloped therein, and closure means on said body structure formed by a flap hinged for folding in closing relation across said open side edge and by Bit least one tab slit in said body structure openable upon flexing of said other of said side wall panels for interlocki'm insertion of said flap thereat upon folding to said closing relation, said flap being intermediately foldable for flexing to facilitate insertion at said slit tab, and said slit tab overlying said flap upon insertion to hold it in properly closed relation despite the previous flexing thereof during insertion.

3. An envelope type packaging folder comprising an envelope body structure having a side edge thereof open for loading with material to be enveloped therein, and closure means on said body structure formed by: a first flap hinged for folding in closing relation across said open side edge; at least one tab slit in said body structure openable upon flexing of said other of said side wall panels for interlocking insertion of said first flap thereunder; and a second flap folded and secured inwardly of said body structure to underlie said slit tab for receiving said first flap between said second flap and said slit tab upon said interlocking insertion.

4. An envelope type packaging folder comprising an envelope body structure incorporating opposed rectangular side walls joined at three of the respective side edges thereof, the remaining side edges of said side walls forming an opening through which material to be placed in said folder may be loaded, and closure means for said body structure formed by: a first flap hinged at said remaining side edge of one of said side walls for folding in closing relation across said remaining side edge of the other side wall; at least one tab slit in said body structure openable upon flexing of said other of said side wall panels for interlocking insertion of said first flap thereunder; and a second flap hingedon said other side wall at said remaining side edge and folded and secured inwardly of said body structure to underlie said slit tab for receiving said first flap between said second flap and said slit tab upon said interlocking insertion.

5. In an envelope type packaging folder having a body structure formed by opposed side Walls joined to form a pouch open along adjacent side edges of the respective side walls for loading of material therein, a closure means for said body structure comprising a first flap hinged on one of said side walls at said adjacent side edge thereof for folding in closing relation across the adjacent side edge of the other of said side walls, at least one tab slit in the other of said side walls openable upon flexing of said other of said side wall panels for interlocking insertion of said first flap thereunder, and a second flap hinged on said other side wall at said adjacent side edge thereof and folded and secured inwardly thereof to underlie said slit tab for receiving said first flap between said second flap and said slit tab upon said interlocking insertion.

6. In an envelope type packaging folder, the structure defined in claim 5 and further characterized in that said first flap is intermediately foldable along an axis parallel to the side wall edge at which said flap is hinged to facilitate insertion thereof under said slit tab.

7. In an envelope type packaging folder, the structure defined in claim 6 and further characterized in that the axis on which said first flap is intermediately foldable is spaced from the hinged edge thereof by at least half the extent of said flap, but less than two-thirds of said extent and slightly less than the necessary reach of said fiap to said slit tab for insertion thereunder.

8. An envelope type packaging folder comprising opposed rectangular side Walls joined at three of their respective side edges to form a pouch, a first fiap hinged at the unjoined side edge of one of said side walls and scored parallel to said side edge at a spacing therefrom exceeding half the extent of said flap but less than twothirds said extent, at least one slit tab formed in the other of said side walls openable upon flexing of said other of said side wall panels for insertion of said first flap thereunder, said slit tab being located to overlie said first flap slightly short of the scoring therein when said first flap is inserted under said slit tab, and a second flap hinged at the unjoined edge of said other side wall and folded and secured inwardly thereof to underlie said slit tab for receiving the inserted portion of said first flap between said second flap and said slit tab.

9. An envelope type packaging folder as defined in claim 8 and further characterized in that two of said slit tabs are formed in said other side wall, in that said first flap is notched outwardly from the scoring therein to form corresponding tongue portions for insertion under said slit tabs, and in that said slit tabs are formed in a substantial extent from the base thereof for opening readily upon fiexure of said other side wall to receive said first flap tongue portions thereunder.

10. A blank for an envelope type packaging folder, said blank comprising two side wall panels of substantially corresponding dimensions, flap panels foldably hinged along corresponding side edges of each of said side wall panels, one of said side wall panels having at least one tab slit therein in spaced relation from the hinged axis of the flap panel thereon and extending toward said hinged axis for opening upon flexing of said one of said side wall panels to facilitate interlocking insertion of the flap panel of the other of said side wall panels, the spacing of said tab from said hinged axis being greater than half but less than two-thirds of the extent of the flap panel on the other of said side wall panels from its hinged axis, and the extent from its hinged axis of the flap panel on the side wall panel containing said slit tab substantially exceeding the extent of the flap panel on said other side wall panel.

11. A blank for an envelope type packaging folder, said blank comprising first and second substantially corresponding side Wall panels foldably hinged in series, and first and second flap panels foldably hinged in terminal relation respectively on said first and second serially arranged side wall panels, said first flap panel having at least one narrowed tongue portion formed at the free edge thereof opposite its hinged axis, said second side wall panel having at least one tab slit therein in spaced relation from the hinged axis of the flap panel thereon and extending toward said hinged axis in a width corresponding to and in serial alignment with said tongue portion formed on said first flap panel for opening upon flexing of said second side wall panel for interlocking insertion of said tongue portion of said first flap panel, the spacing of said tab from said hinged axis being greater than half but less than two-thirds of the extent of said first flap panel from its hinged axis, and the extent of said second flap panel from its hinged axis substantially exceeding that of said first flap panel.

12. A blank as defined in claim 11 and further char acterized in that said first flap panel is scored for intermediate folding parallel to its hinged axis at a spacing therefrom slightly less than the spacing of said slit tab from the flap hinge axis of said second side wall panel.

References Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 696,431 Hammond et al Apr. 1, 1902 810,804 Pellerin Jan. 23, 1906 1,023,382 Kirksey Apr. 16, 1912 2,100,768 Schuknecht Nov. 30, 1937 2,281,452 Ottinger Apr. 28, 1942 

1. AN ENVELOPE TYPE PACKAGING FOLDER COMPRISING AN ENVELOPE BODY STRUCTURE INCORPORATING FIRST AND SECOND SIDE WALL PANELS, A CLOSURE FLAP ON ONE OF SAID SIDE WALL PANELS, AND AT LEAST ONE SLIT TAB IN THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE WALL PANELS OPENABLE UPON FLEXING OF SAID OTHER OF SAID SIDE WALL PANELS FOR INTERLOCKING INSERTION OF SAID CLOSURE FLAP THEREAT, SAID CLOSURE FLAP BEING INTERMEDIATELY FOLDABLE FOR FLEXING TO FACILITATE INSERTION AT SAID SLIT TAB, AND SAID SLIT TAB OVERLYING SAID CLOSURE FLAP UPON INSERTION TO HOLD SAID FLAP AT A PROPERLY CLOSED DISPOSITION DESPITE THE PREVIOUS FLEXING THEREOF DURING INSERTION. 